Mayors/Sheriffs shown in CAPS have their own page
- click on the Mayor's full name

Adams:Francis Adams (1806
- 1880) was President of the
Grateful
Society in 1859 and Mayor of Bristol in 1867 and 1868. For many years
he lived at Crete Hill, Westbury-on-Trym and enjoyed hunting. He liked to
ride on horseback to and from business each day and he needed a well built horse
because Francis was well over 17 stone.

Barker:According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of
Bristol (1884) there was a memorial to John Barker in St Werburgh's church -
"an altar tomb with the figure of a civic dignitary, and an inscription above
setting forth that he was Mayor and Alderman. Died 1607 (supposed)"

Barnes:Thomas Barnes was
born about 1826, he was a timber merchant and Mayor of Bristol in 1873. He
was president of the
Grateful
Society in 1863 and Master of the Merchant Venturers in 1865. He lived
at Woodside, Sneyd Park before moving to London and died on 11th April 1892.

Barrow:Robert Gay Barrow
(1807 - 1880) was Mayor of Bristol in 1852. The local agent for the Sun Fire and
Life Assurance Company, a Merchant Venturer he lived in Rodney Place, Clifton.

Bates:John Bates was born
about 1801. He was Mayor of Bristol in 1859. He became General
Manager of the West of England and South Wales Bank (in Corn Street) retiring
from there in 1866. [This bank faced the Corn Exchange and in order to build it
(Architect William Bruce Gingell and T.R. Lysaght), the old 'Bush Inn' was
demolished in 1854. The bank failed in 1878 and the building became Lloyds
bank]. He lived at 8 Royal York Crescent. He was president of the
Grateful
Society in 1856 and died on 2nd July 1869 - this was the result of an
accident whilst out shooting.

Bevan: William Bevan,
sheriff in 1644/5 was made a Burgess on 13th August 1639 having been apprenticed
to Andrew Charlton. He wsa a Merchant Venturer and served as Warden
1644/5.

Bengough:Born in 1739,
Sheriff in 1789, Mayor in 1792. According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of
Bristol (1884) there is a memorial to Henry Bengough in St Mark's chapel
indicating that he was an Alderman and died 10th April 1818 aged 80. A lot more
information about him can be found at :
http://www.bristolcharities.org.uk/history_charities_bengough.asp.

Britton:George Bryant Britton was born in 1857. He
founded the boot manufacturing business which bore his name and played an active
part in the initiation of an electric tram service to Kingswood. He became
a Bristol councillor in 1897, an alderman in 1921 and served as Lord Mayor in
1920. He was also Liberal MP for Bristol East from 1918 - 1922. He
died on 11th July 1929.

Brown:Mrs Florence Mills Brown was the first female Lord
Mayor of Bristol in 1963.

Bryant:Walter Bryant was associated in business with
the quarrying industry and served as a Bristol councillor from 1921 he was Lord
Mayor in 1929. He died on 9th November 1935 aged 61.

Butler:Lt. Col. Joseph Beaumont Butler served in the
Boer war and was Sheriff in 1916 but he relinquished the post in order to take
up military duties. He was the son of William Butler and director of Wm.
Butler & Co. Ltd., of Silverthorne Lane and Crews Hole. He died on 30th
April 1935.

Cann: Robert Cann was Sheriff 1651/2
and Mayor 1662/3 & 1675/6. He was Knighted in 1662 and an MP for Bristol
1678-80. He was the son of William Cann (see below) and made a Burgess on
5th December 1646. he married twice: 1st wife - Cicely, daughter of
Humphrey Hooke (see also Henry Creswick below), 2nd wife - Ann, daughter of Sir
Derrick Poppeley. He was a Merchant Venturer and served as Treasurer in 1654/4
and Master in 1658/9. See also:
http://www.tibblestone.com/familytrees/cann/sir_robert_cann.htm

Cann: William Cann was Sheriff 1635/6
and Mayor 1648/9. He was a Merchant Venturer and served as Treasurer in
1641/2 and Master in 1645/6.

Canning: Thomas Canning was born in
Devizes in about 1815. he was Mayor of Bristol in 1871. He died on
21st December 1888.

Canynges: Arrowsmiths Dictionary of Bristol (1884) gives
the following information about the memorial to William Canynges (the second) in
St Mary Redcilffe Church - "Under a conopied recess beneath the central window,
an alter tomb supporting recumbent effigies of William Canynges and his wife.
The inscription is as follows:- William Cannings, ye richest merchant of ye
town of Bristow, afterwards chosen 5 times Mayor of ye said towne, for the good
of the commonwealth of the same. He was in the order of the priesthood 7
years, and afterwards Dean of Westbury, and died the 7th Nov., 1474, which said
William did build, within ye said town of Westbury, a college (with his Canons)
and the said William did maintain by the space of 8 years 800 handy-craftsmen,
besides carpenters and masons, every day 100 men. Besides King Edward the
IVth had of ye said William 3,000 marks for his peace to be had in 2,470 tons of
shipping. The follow the names, &c., of his ships and a metrical
tribute to his memory. "

Castle: Adam Cottam Castle was a solicitor and a Bristol
councillor from 1910 until 1929. He served as Sheriff in 1913 and died on
9th March 1934.

Cave:Sir Charles Daniel
Cave was Sheriff in 1862 and President of the
Dolphin
Society in 1875. He was the younger son of Mr Danile cave of Cleve Hill,
Downend and was a partner in the Old Bank. When his elder brother Sir
Stephen cave MP died he took over the family's large estates in Gloucestershire
and Devonshire (Sidbury Manor)

Coles:William Gale Coles
(1821 - 1890) was Sheriff in 1867. For many years he was General Manager of
Stuckey's Banking Co. and lived for the latter part of his life at Cleve Wood,
Downend. He was President of the
Dolphin
Society in 1876.

Colston:Thomas Colston
was the son of Richard Colton and made a Burgess on 28th October 1617. He
was Sheriff in 1629/30. He was Treasurer of the Merchant Venturers in
1634/5 and Master in 16444/5

Cowlin:Francis Nicholas Cowlin was
Sheriff in 1921 and
was knighted in the 'birthday honours' June 1935.

Creswick:Henry Creswick was
Sheriff in 1643/4 and Mayor in 1660/1. He was Treasurer of the Merchant
Venturers 1647/8 and Master 1660/62. He was the eldest son of Francis
Creswick and apprenticed to Richard Long, a merchant, on 2nd February 1631, then
made a Burgess on 14th August 1639. He was knighted in 1663. He
married Elizabeth, daughter of Humphrey Hooke (see also Robert Cann). He
had two sons: Francis & Humphrey and four daughters: Ann, Elizabeth, Hester &
Florence. He was buried in St Werburgh's church as was is father Francis.

Croft:James Croft was
Sheriff in 1650/51. he was the son of Sir John Croft of Aymesbury,
Hereford and he was apprenticed to Richard Holworthy on 11th March 1621 then
made a Burgess on 17th November 1631. he was Treasurer of the Merchant
Venturers 1648/9 and Warden 1646/7.

Deyos:Walter Deyos was
Sheriff 1639/40 and Mayor 1655/6. He died in September 1658. He had
been Treasurer of the Merchant Venturers 1644/5 and also Warden 1642/3. He was
the son of William Deyos and apprenticed to George Knight, mercer, on 8th
February 1609 then made a Burgess on 27th August 1621.

EDWARDS:Sir George Edwards was one of the directors of
the tobacco manufacturers Edwards Ringer & Bigg of Redcliffe Street and one of
the founders of the Bristol Stock Exchange. He was Mayor on four
occasions(1876,1877,1878 & 1886) and died on 18th March 1902

Elliot:Robert Elliot (or
Ellyett) wasMayor in 1514. An information chart in the crypt of St
Johns Church (where he is buried) explains that Robert Ellyett was a merchant
who died on 23rd August 1545. It also gives some details of bequests to his
children Barbara, Elizabeth, Katharine, Robert and John.

Ellis:William Ellis was
Mayor in 1598. An information chart in the crypt of St Johns Church (where
he is buried) explains that the merchant William Ellis imported 76.35 tons of
currents on the ship 'Marie Fortune' on 16th April 1601 at a cost of £2291 5s.
His wife died in 1599. William died on 9th August 1616.

Esterfield:According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of
Bristol (1884) there was a memorial to John Esterfield in St Peter's
church:- "twice Mayor and Alderman. A brass was inserted in the stone but
it has now disappeared".

Eyles:Walter Henry Eyles was a wholesale fruit merchant
who became a Bristol councillor in 1919 and served as Lord Mayor in 1928/29. He
died on 5th February 1931.

Exeter:Nicholas Exeter
(or Excestre) was Sheriff in 1410. A memorial chart in the crypt of St Johns
Church indicates that he was a merchant who died on 16th September 1434.

Farmer:According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of
Bristol (1884) there was a memorial brass to Thomas Farmer in Christchurch,
north aisle 'Mayor and Alderman, died Nov. 1624 aged 83'. he was Sheriff
in 1602 and Mayor in 1616.

Frampton:Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884)
mentions "Frampton W. founder of church and three times Mayor" - a
memorial in St John's church. Walter Frampton was Mayor in 1357, 1365 and 1374.
He died 6th December 1388.

Francombe:James T. Francombe was born in 1843. He was a
schoolteacher and became headmaster of Redcliffe school. He was the
Unionist party candidate for Bristol South in 1910 (he lost by 138 votes) and
became a Bristol councillor in 1911. He became an alderman, JP and Served
as Lord Mayor in 1919. He died on 11th September 1924

GARDNER:Charles Edward Ley Gardner was born in 1843.
He was a wholesale grocer and a Wesleyan Methodist and in his early life he had
been a captain in the volunteer Bristol Artillery. He was a member of the
Bristol council from 1882 until 1929 and served as Lord Mayor in 1901. He died on
14th December 1932.

George:James George was
born about 1789. he was a brewer - the brewery was in Bath Street. He was
Sheriff in 1814 and 1819 and Mayor in 1822 and 1836 and Master of the Merchant
Venturers in 1827. He died on 27th June 1858.

Gibbs:According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol
(1884) there is a memorial to James Gibbs in St Mark's Chapel " Mayor of
Bristol 1842. He was a vitriol manufacturer, head of hte firm Gibbs, Ferris &
Co., Chairman of Bristol & Exeter Railway Company, Chairman of Bristol & South
Wales Union Railway and a Director of the Great Western Railway Company. Born
about 1791, died Feb., 24th 1853 aged 63 years. He is buried in Arnos Vale
Cemetery.

Goldney:William Goldney
was born about 1794, he was mayor in 1846, lived at 34 Cornwallis Crescent and
died on 24th January 1850.

HABERFIELD:John Kerle Haberfield was born in 1783. He
was six time Mayor of Bristol. As an early director of Bristol General
Cemetery Company, he bought his own place in the crypt of the Anglican Chapel at
Arnos Vale Cemetery. Unfortunately, due to vandalism the Chapel is now
closed. According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is
also a marble bust of Sir John Kerle Haberfield in St Mark's chapel indicating
that he died Dec. 27th 1857.

Harvey:John Harvey
(junior) was born on 15th September 1832 at Kidderminster. He was a wine
merchant and chairman of Harvey & Sons, Denmark Street, from 1893 - 1900 having
entered the business in 1846. He was Sheriff of Bristol in 1884, president
of the
Grateful
Society in 1875 and died in June 1900.

Harrington:Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol
(1884) says that there was a memorial to George Harrington in St Peter's
church: 'George Harrington, Mayor and Alderman of the City. Died Jan. 2nd 1639'.
He was a brewer and Mayor of Bristol in 1617.

Hayman:Sir William Hayman was Mayor of Bristol 1684/5 -
Judge Jeffreys visited the city towards the end of his 'Bloody Assizes' and
attacked prominent citizens for getting involved with the kidnapping trade (men,
women and children were being kidnapped and sent as 'white slaves' to work in
the new plantations of Virginia and the West Indies... supplementing those
'supplied' by magistrates who generously commuted hanging sentences to
transportation). He briefly addressed the council and then turned on the
Mayor, Sir William Hayman who was seated beside him and called him a kidnapping
knave, he ordered him to leave the bench and stand at the bar with his fellow
aldermen and they were charged with transporting a pickpocket to Jamaica.
He fined the Mayor £1000 and turned him over as prisoner to his own Sheriffs,
Giles Merricke and James Twyford, threatening to hang him but he spared him '
out of 'respect to the city'. All of thee aldermen were ordered to
find two sureties of £5000 each to answer indictments in the King's bench
division for kidnapping. They were never brought to trial and the charges
were quashed three years later when they were given a general amnesty (this
story was reported by Max Barnes and originally published in the Bristol Evening
Post) .

Hellier:George Hellier
was the son of George Hellier of Wickwar, a clothier. He was apprenticed
to Richard Challoner, merchant, on 6th February 1611 then made a Burgess on 20th
October 1621. He died 21st April 1656 and by his will, he left £20 to St
Thomas's parish the profits of which were to be distributed among the poor and a
further 10 shillings for a sermon to be preached yearly. He was Sheriff in
1638/9 and Mayor in 1653/4.

Highett: Dr. Charles Highett
(1812-1896) was Mayor in 1891. He is buried in Arnos Vale
Cemetery.

Jackson:Joseph Jackson
was the son of Miles Jackson (see below) to whom he was apprenticed on 26th October 1620,
then he was made a Burgess on 1st July 1630. He owned property in Small
Street and St Nicholas Street. He died on 5th January 1661 and left money
to his four sisters and to his grandchildren in his will. He was Sheriff
in 1642/3 and Mayor in 1651/2. he was also Master of the Merchant
Venturers in 1647/8 and 1658/9. He was also MP for Bristol in 1659

Jackson:Miles Jackson
was the son of another Miles Jackson 'gentleman', he was apprenticed to Thomas
Davis, merchant on 25th March 1608 then made a Burgess on 22nd April 1615.
It is reported that he lived in a house in Small street where Cromwell was
entertained in 1649. He died in 1662 and in his will, left his garden in
Temple Street, the profits from which to be distributed to the poor of St James
parish. He was Sheriff in 1631/2 and Mayor 1649/50. He was also
Master of the Merchant Venturers 1650/51 and MP for Bristol 1654/5.

James:According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol
(1884) there is a memorial to Thomas James in St Mark's Chapel: "Mayor 1605,
and "Parliament Man" for Bristol in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I, died
1613". A Thomas James was also Mayor in 1614 - probably the same man
perhaps the date of death is wrong?

Kitchen:According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol
(1884) there is a brass late over the vestry door of St Stephens church in
memory of Robert Kitchen, Mayor, Sheriff and Alderman, Died on Sept. 5th 1594.
He was born in Kendal, Westmoreland in 1531, Sheriff in 1572 and Mayor of Bristol in 1588.
He donated one of the 'nails' outside of the corn exchange. A lot more
information about him can be found at:
http://www.bristolcharities.org.uk/history_charities_kitchin.asp

Knight: There was a memorial to Sir John Knight in
Temple Church - in the north wall of the chancel there was a long Latin
inscription to members of his family. (source Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol
1884)

Lane: George Lane
was Sheriff in 1651/2. He was also Warden of the Merchant Venturers in
1629/30 and Treasurer 1652/3. His father was also George Lane who was a
merchant. he was made a Burgess on 2nd December 1626

Langton: William
Henry Gore Langton (1802 - 1875) was Mayor of Bristol in 1851 and was also an MP
for Bristol.

Miles: William Henry
Miles was born about 1831 and served as Bristol Sheriff in 1866. he was a
partner in the Miles Bank (1854 - 1877 and continued as such when it was
succeeded by the old Bank (1877 - 1888). He died on 15th January 1888 "by
taking cold when driving home to Ham Green".

here was a memorial to Sir John Knight in
Temple Church - in the north wall of the chancel there was a long Latin
inscription to members of his family. (source Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol
1884)

Naish:William Naish was
born about 1806. He was Mayor of Bristol in 1856 and died 29th July 1875.
"He came of an old Quaker family, by whom he was looked upon as a backslider,
when he introduced a piano and musical parties in his house at Redland".
(Bristol Worthies 2nd Series 1909)

Parker:Timothy Parker was
Sheriff in 1659/60. He was apprenticed to John Sneed and was made a
Burgess on 16th May 1644. He was a Linen Draper. In his will in 1681
he left £10 to the parish of St Nicholas and £5 to the parish of St Philip &
Jacob for the distribution of bread to the poor.

Phippen:Robert Phippen
was born about 1801 at Church House Bedminster where he lived all his life. He
was a solicitor and Mayor of Bristol in 1840, he later served two terms as
Sheriff of Bristol in 1854 and 1868. He died in 5th July 1869 at a dinner
party at Cote Hill, the residence of the then Mayor Francis Adams.

Pinney:Charles Pinney
(1793 - 1867) has been described as an amiable worthy gentleman (Bristol
Worthies, by A B Freeman 1907) but his main claim to fame is that he happened to
be Mayor during the Bristol Riots of 1831 and is reported to have escaped from
the Mansion House (then in Queen Square) in female attire.

Pope:John Pope was
Sheriff in 1653/4 he was also elected Mayor in 1663 but he declined. He was the
son of Michael Pope, a soap maker to whom he was apprenticed on 27th October
1630 then made a Burgess on 15th december 1637. He died on 11th February
1667 aged 51 and was buried in St Thomas' church

PROCTOR:Thomas Proctor (1811-1876) was never Mayor but
he would have been if he had not died. However, there is a
bust of him in
the Mansion House (the Lord Mayors official residence in Bristol) because he
built Elmdale House for himself and then offered it as a free gift to the City
of Bristol to be dedicated to the use of the Mayor. His monument can be seen in
Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Robinson:Elisha Smith Robinson was born in 1815 and
lived in Tewkesbury where his father ran a paper mill. He moved to Bristol
in 1844 and set up a business making paper bags. In partnership with
Alfred Robinson the business expanded and by the 1860's the firm or E.S. & A.
Robinson was well established in Bristol. Elisha was Mayor in 1866. He was
president of the
Grateful
Society in 1880. He
died in 1885. His monument can be seen at
Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Shaw:
John George Shaw (1804 - 1876) was Mayor of Bristol in 1853 and 1854 when his
sister Mrs O'Brian acted as Lady Mayoress as he had been left a widower with two
sons and three daughters (who were not old enough) . He was originally
from Ireland and was a partner in the firm Cox & Shaw, soap manufacturers.

SMITH:Alfred John Smith was a ship owner and coal
merchant. He became a Bristol councillor in 1898 (he had also represented
Bedminster on Somerset county council). He served as Lord Mayor in 1905/6.
He died on 12th March 1920. His monument can be seen at
Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Smith: William Smith was
born about 1825. He was a 'colonial broker' and served as Sheriff of
Bristol in 1876. He died on 16th February 1900 at his residence, Sundon
House, Clifton Down. "He was known amongst his intimates as 'Garibaldi
Smith', from a fancied appearance to the Italian patriot" (Bristol Worthies 2nd
Series, 1909)

Stone:John. There was a monument to him in Temple
Church indicating that he was Mayor three times and married four wives. He died
24thj June 1575 (source Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol 1884)

Swaish: Sir John Swaish was knighted in 1920.
He had founded a local pawn broking business in Bristol. He became a
Bristol councillor in 1890 and an alderman in 1906 then served as Lord Mayor 1913/14.
He died on 19th January 1931. He is buried at Canford Cemetery.

SYMES: Sir Robert Henry Symes (1837 - 1908) was
educated at Taunton. He bcame Sheriff in 1887 and was appointed a JP in
1889. He served a total of six times as Mayor and Lord Mayor
(1893,94,95,96, 1902 & 03) and became an Alderman in 1895. He was knighted at
Osborne House in January 1898 and died in 1908 at the age of 71.

Titley: William Alfred Titley (1851 -
1934) was a Bristol Councillor
from 1908 to 1919 in which year he was sheriff. He was a wholesale
provisions merchant. He died on 11th March
1934 at Wynton Lodge, Durdham Park, Bristol.

TWIGGS: Henry William Twiggs
(1856-1932) was Lord Mayor in 1918. He was a Liberal councillor and manufacturer of
prams. He died on 14th January 1932 (ref': Pat Hase)

Vassall:Robert Lowe Grant
Vassall (1830 - 1913)
was Sheriff in 1879. For a number of years he lived at Oldbury Court, near
Bristol and enjoed hunting. He worked as the head of a firm of Bristol
solicitors and he was also Chairman of the Taff Vale Railway Company.

Vickris:Robert Vickris
was Sheriff in 1656/7, he was also Master of the Merchant Venturers in 1669/70
and Treasurer 1656/7. He was the son of Robert Vickris of Bewdley in
Worcestershire, 'gentleman'; apprenticed to Thomas Jackson on 1st August 1637,
serving his apprenticeship as an Ironmonger and he was made a Burgess on 10th
November 1648.

Vining:John Vining was
born about 1785. He was Mayor of Bristol 1855 and 1856 and was in the
sugar trade. He was also part owner of Brunel's ship the Great Western.
he died on 26th September 1866.

WAIT:William Killigrew Wait (1826-1902).
His father was W.K Wait, Alderman and Sheriff of Bristol in 1837. He
became a town councillor in 1867 and was appointed Mayor in 1869. He
became an Alderman in 1886 but resigned in 1891.

Walker: Horace Walker was chairman of H.J. Packer & Co.
Ltd. He was a Bristol councillor from 1921 to 1927 and sheriff in 1922.
He died in April 1930.

Wathen:Charles Wathen was a wool merchant and he was
Mayor of Bristol no less than six times. He was president of the
Grateful
Society in 1888. His monument can be seen at
Arnos Vale Cemetery

Wise:Thomas James Wise (1870 - 1945) was Lord Mayor in 1932. His
grave is in
Arnos Vale Cemetery

WESTON:Joseph Weston
was born in Kingsdown, Bristol in
1822, the son a Redcliff iron merchant. His family were also ship owners. he
was May or Bristol no less than four times and he was also a local MP. The
many things he worked for which helped the prosperity of his fellow citizens,
included the introduction of a public library service and the purchase and
development of the Portishead and Avonmouth docks. He died in 1895. His
monument can be seen at
Arnos Vale Cemetery

White: Thomas White was
Mayor in 1530. An information chart in St Johns Crypt (where he is buried)
says that he was a merchant and died in 12th October 1542, His wife
Christine died in 1546.

Whitson: Christopher
Whitson was Sheriff in 1613/4 and Mayor in 1626/7. He was the son of Henry
Whitson of Newland in Gloucestershire and was apprenticed as a mercer to
Christopher Woodward on 10th October 1570 then made a Burgess on 15th April
1577. Deeds in the Corporation archives show that he owned land at
Charleton in the parish of Henbury. he died in May 1638.

WHITSON:John
Whitson was the founder of Red Maids School in Bristol. He is buried
in the Crypt of St Nicholas church.

Winchester:William Albert
Winchester was
Lord Mayor in 1938/9. He died on 27th September 1941 and his grave is in
Arnos Vale
Cemetery, Bristol.

Wright:John Wright was
Sheriff in 1662/3. He was a merchant son of Ralph Wright, a linen draper
and he was made a Burgess on 5th November 1642. He died September 1672

Yate:Robert Yate was
Sheriff in 1648/9. he was also Master of the Merchant Venturers 1656/7
and Treasurer 1649/50. He was made a Burgess on 30th October 1639
because he married Mary, the daughter of William Cann who was Mayor in the
same year that Robert was Sheriff (see above). He died in 1682.

Yeamans:Robert
Yeamans was Sheriff in 1662/3 and Mayor in 1669/70. He was also Master
of the Merchant Venturers 1662/3 and Knighted in 1663. He was the son
of John Yeamans, a brewer, and was made a Burgess on 11th November 1643.
He died in 1686/7 and was buried in St Mary Redcliffe church. He gave
£50 to the parish of St Mary Redcliffe, the profits of which were to be
distributed amongst the poor.

Many of these historical notes were taken from pamphlets
published by the Bristol Branch of the Historical Association. Some of
these interesting pamphlets may be
purchased from the Bristol Museum Shop. Other sources are - 'Bristol Biographies
1898', 'Notable Bristolians 1931-32', 'At the Port of Bristol Vols. I & II' by
W.G. Neale and The Deposition Books of Bristol Vol. II 1650-54 Bristol Records
Society Vol. XIII.